2018 Renault Megane R.S.

The go-faster Megane is here and it’s glorious!

Renault Shifted the Megane into a new generation for the 2016 model year, bring about an all-new look that was more refined and sportier than ever. For 2018, it was time to introduce the all-new Megane R.S., a model that puts the rest of the hot hatch segment in check with its wide stance, unique body lines, commanding front end, and a motorsport-inspired, functional rear diffuser. And, at around $37,000 at current exchange rates, it’s an affordable proposition as well.

2018 Renault Megane R.S. Exterior

Renault made some serious upgrades to transform your typical Megan into an all-out R.S. model.

Renault made some serious upgrades to transform your typical Megan into an all-out R.S. model. To start off, it’s actually wider than the standard model with the rear haunches extended by 45 mm (1.77 inches) and 60 mm (2.36 inches) in the front. This is the most important structural change, but there’s a lot more going on here. In the front, there’s an all-new front fascia that takes on a Formula-1-style blade crossing the larger low air dam. Meanwhile, those larger air intakes are much more menacing. A new grille adds a bit of sportiness here as well.

Moving onto the sides, there’s a lot to write home about. The wider front and rear haunches shine clearly through and provide a nice wide look here. The trim around the rear wheel wells actually feeds down to the side skirt seamlessly, giving the car a body-kit look. That protruding trim on the door is carried over from the standard model but look at that vent on the front – it feeds into that small concave section that is filled with a badge on the standard model.

Around back, things really get dicey in a very good way. For starters, the rear fascia is completely different from the standard model featuring what I can only describe as a micro look of the front fascia, at least in the corners, anyway. In the center sits a true-to-life functional diffuser (try finding this on a Volkswagen Golf R) that is inspired by none other than F1 Motorsport.

Around back, things really get dicey in a very good way

To round off the exterior, the R.S. gets new fog lights that feature a three-diamond design up front, and you can choose from 18- and 19-inch wheels that are said to provide a better cornering performance. Finally, there is a small lip spoiler in the rear to go with the usual central exhaust outlet and an R.S. specific color that goes by the name Volcanic Orange.

Rating

How Big is the Renault Megane R.S.?

The Megane R.S. is 1,445 mm tall, 1,874 mm wide, and 4,372 mm long. It sits just 101 mm off the ground at it’s lowest point and has a wheelbase of 2,669 mm. Its front track width is 1,615 mm, and the rear track width is 1,596 mm. In comparison to the standard Megane, the R.S. is 60 mm wider in the front and 45 mm wider in the rear. It is small enough to fit in a single-car garage with enough room for a small toolbox in the corner.

What Wheel Sizes Are Available for the Renault Megane R.S.?

The Renault Megane R.S. is available with Estoril 18-inch wheels in Gun Metal Grey, Interlagos 19-inch wheels in Full Black, or Interlagos 19-inch wheels in Diamond-Cut Black. The 19-inch Diamond-Cut Black Interlagos wheels are standard equipment, while the Full Black Interlagos wheels and the 18-inch Estoril wheels are available as options.

What Exterior Options are Available for the Renault Megane R.S.?

The Megane R.S. comes well-equipped, so there are few options, however, these options include metallic paint, Renault i.d. paint, Renault Sport i.d. paint, the 18-inch Estoril wheels, and the 19-inch Interlagos Diamond-Cut Black 19-inch wheels.

What Type of Exterior Lighting Does the Renault Megane R.S. Have?

The Megane R.S. comes standard with Pure Vision Full LED headlights that include an integrated C-Shape LED strip. This is complemented by the daytime running lights with LED light guides and 3d Effect. It also has R.S. Vision Full LED 3 function fog lights in the front apron. Around back, the R.S. has LED 3D Edge daytime running lights.

2018 Renault Megane R.S - exterior dimensions

Overall length

4,372 MM

Wheelbase

2,669 MM

Front overhang

916 MM

Rear overhang

786 MM

Front track

1,615 MM

Rear track

1,596 MM

Overall width without door mirrors

1,874 MM

Unladen height

1,445 MM

Ground clearance

101 MM

2018 Renault Megane R.S. Interior

The interior of the Megane R.S. screams sports car and hot hatch all at the same time

The interior of the Megane R.S. screams sports car and hot hatch all at the same time. Naturally, it benefits from the Megane’s 2016 redesign, but it’s got lots of R.S.-specific goodies too. For starters, you’ll find the red trim thrown about here and there to go with the red R.S. bad on the bottom steering wheel spoke, and red accents on the hear shifter, instrument cluster, and infotainment system. The steering wheel, by the way, has an off-centered hub, so the low spoke is much shorter than the rest. It’s very sporty and interesting to look at, but it’s also necessary due to the unusually low mounting point for the instrument cluster. That’s not a big deal, though, as that makes for a less obtrusive dash and much better forward visibility. That’s what we like to call a win-win.

Sports seats help keep you planted in the bends, and they do offer plenty of support as well as integrated headrests

Other R.S.-specific cues include the aluminum pedals and the aluminum gear lever – you just can’t get these on any other Megane model. The interior itself is offered in charcoal grey with red top stitching, yet another way to accent the interior and quite nicely too we might add. Sports seats help keep you planted in the bends, and they do offer plenty of support as well as integrated headrests. Finally, the R-Link 2 infotainment system comes as standard equipment and features an 8.7-inch display that’s vertically oriented. The software built into the system is easy to use and, because it’s an R.S., has specific performance features. You can connect a phone or independent camera to record your drive, and you can analyze that data later as it will have performance data built right in. You can even share your video right from inside the car – now that’s cool.

Are Renault Sport Seats in the Megane R.S. Supportive?

Renault Sport’s seats are high-quality with integrated headrests and plenty of side support. They are on par with what is offered in high-end supercars and are quite comfortable to sit in as well.

What Kind of Audio System Does the Renault Megane R.S. Have?

The Megane R.S. comes with standard Renault sound system, however, you can option a Bose sound system if you really want good sound quality.

Can You Customize the Audio System in the Renault Megane R.S.?

Because the Megane’s infotainment system is interlinked with the rest of the car, installing aftermarket audio equipment isn’t recommended. However, you can opt for a seven-speaker, amplified, Bose sound system and an 8.7-inch vertical touchscreen if the seven-inch R-Link2 system isn’t big enough for you.

2018 Renault Megane R.S. Performance

The Renault Megane R.S. is motivated by a 1.8-liter four-pot that’s good for 205 kW (280 horsepower) at 6,000 rpm and 390 Nm or 287 pound-feet of torque

The Renault Megane R.S. is motivated by a 1.8-liter four-pot that’s good for 205 kW (280 horsepower) at 6,000 rpm and 390 Nm or 287 pound-feet of torque, with the brunt of it coming in between 2,400 and 5,000 rpm. To make this kind of power from a 1.8-liter, Renault gave special attention to the air intake, exhaust system, and cylinder head, with the latter of which being completely redesigned with a little help from Renaults motorsport experts over at Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing. There’s also a twin-scroll turbo in play too, which explains the high torque figure.

Power can be shifted to the wheels via a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual clutch transmission. I’m sure you’ll want to row your own, but the automatic has been optimized for good shifting and even has paddle shifters with the ability for quick sequential down shifts. On the stopping front, Renault threw in 355mm rear front disc brakes with Brembo calipers and leaves you the option to go with cast iron and aluminum brake discs if you so desire.

All told, the Megane RS can hit the 62-mph (100 km/h) sprint in 5.9 seconds and tops out at 158 mph

All told, the Megane RS can hit the 62-mph (100 km/h) sprint in 5.9 seconds and tops out at 158 mph. It can pull the 400-meter stop in 14.1 seconds and the 1000-meter stop in 25.4 seconds. And, for those of you who don’t just put down the pedal and go, the R.S. comes with Multi-Sense, a system to offers up several driving models that control throttle mapping, gear shifts, and firmness of steering, among other things. These modes include Comfort (doubles as an eco mode,) normal mode, sport mode, race mode (track us only with no ESC,) and Perso mode. There is even a suite of driver assistance systems that include adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane departure warning, safe distance warning, traffic sign recognition with over speed prevention, and blind spot warning. It comes complete with a reverse camera and easy park assist or “hands-free parking.”

Rating

How Fast is the Renault Megane R.S.?

The Megane R.S. can reach a top speed of 158 mph (255 km/h) and can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds. Mid-range acceleration from 80 km/h to 120 km/h has yet to be announced.

What Engine Does the Renault Megane R.S. Have?

The Megane R.S. is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder. It delivers 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 390 Nm (287 pound-feet) of torque at 2,400 rpm. The engine has a bore and stroke of 79.7 x 90.1 and has four valves per cylinder. Valve timing is controlled via a chain that isn’t subject to the normal maintenance schedule usually associated with belt-driven valvetrains.

Does the Renault Megane R.S. have a Manual or Automatic Transmission?

The Megane RS can be had with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

How to Use Launch Control on the Renault Megane R.S.

Renault’s launch control system on the Megane R.S. is one of the easiest to use systems on the market. Place your left foot on the brake, and right foot on the accelerator. Apply maximum pressure to both and when you’re ready to go, release the brake. It’s as simple as that!

What Size Tires Does the Renault Megane R.S. Have?

The Megane R.S. standard with 245/35-R19 tires in the front and rear. If you opted for the 18-inch wheels, the correct tire size is 234/40-R18. All four tires run at standard pressure, and there is no emergency spare wheel.

What Kind of Fuel Economy Does the Renault Megane R.S. Get?

Based on the NEDC scale, the Megane R.S. with an automatic transmission burns 24 l/100km on the urban cycle, 12.2 l/100km on the extra-urban cycle, or 7 l/100km on the combined cycle. With a manual transmission, you can expect to burn 25.7 l/100km on the urban cycle, 16.9 l/ 100km on the extra-urban cycle, and 7.2 l/100km combined.

2018 Renault Megane R.S. - drivetrain specifications

Type of engine (injection/turbo)

4-cylinder turbo direct injection

Capacity (cm3)

1798

Bore x stroke (mm)

79.7 x 90.1

Number of cylinders/valves

16

Max. power

280 HP @ 6,000 RPM

Max. torque

287 LB-FT @ 2,400 RPM

Transmission

Dual-clutch EDC automatic gearbox

0-100 km/h
(s)

5.9

Top Speed

255 km/h (158.5 mph)

Drag area CdA (m2)

0.78

400m stopping distance (s)

14.1

1,000m stopping distance (s)

25.4

2018 Renault Megane R.S. Pricing

The 2018 Renault Megane R.S. starts from £27,495 in the U.K., which computes to $37,271 at exchange rates as of May 9, 2018. That places it at a staggering £20,000 pounds more than the entry-level Megane and just over £10,000 more than the Megane GT Nav.

2018 Renault Megane R.S. Competition

The Volkswagen Golf is a primary go-to when it comes to the hatchback market but, at the same time, it also scrapes by on mundane looks and fairly lackluster interior. Even in R form, the exterior appearance is rather subdued, giving the Megane R.S. a strong head start toward dominance. Not that the Golf R looks bad, it’s just nowhere near as sporty. The interior of the Golf R is also very subdued in comparison to the R.S. It does get a flat-bottom steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and a large touch-screen display, but it’s void of all the goodies like ambient lighting, contrasting stitching that really stands out, or any sort of attractive trim. On the power front, however, the Golf R reigns supreme at 305 horsepower (292 horsepower in the U.S. Market) and can get up to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds – a few ticks fast than the Megane R.S. Like the R.S., the Golf R comes with all-wheel drive. Pricing for the Golf R starts out at £32,880 or $44,567 at current exchange rates. Color us crazy, but that seems like a lot to pay for toned down looks and a bit of extra power.

Naturally, the Civic Type R falls onto this list, and it’s a tough competitor. It has those aggressive looks, and it has that attractive interior with tons of red accenting and Type-R specific goodies. It’s powerful too, offering up 320 ps (315 horsepower) and 400 nm (295 pound-feet) of torque from its 2.0-liter four-banger. It can sprint to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 6.8 seconds and tops out at 169 mph. Unlike the Megane R.S., which can be had with a manual or an automatic, the Civic Type R comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission and no option to go for an automatic. As far as pricing goes, expect to pay out a minimum of £30,995 or $42,008 at current exchange rates.

Final Thoughts

The Renault Megane R.S. is a surefooted contender in the hatchback market and, where it lacks power, it makes up for in value thanks to its significantly lower price compared to the competition. Even at that price, it has comparable or better looks, and it has a plush interior that puts Volkswagen to shame and gives Honda a run for its money. There aren’t really a lot of options on the table but there are some, and that’s not a big deal as most of the important technology is already right there as standard equipment. If it were up to us, we’d surely opt for the Bose sound system with seven speakers, but Renault can keep all of its driver’s assistance features – this thing is meant to play and play it will – no need for all of driver assistance stuff.

Love it

High performance Megane

Takes on the Golf R and Civic Type R well

Great styling inside and out

Leave it

Not coming to the United States

Could have had a bit more power

It’s not in my driveway

References

Update History

Update 3/30/2017: Renault Sport just hit one million Facebook followers, so it saw fit to release a special video to celebrate. At the end, however, there was a little surprise. Check out the special section in our review below to see what it’s all about.

Updated 02/21/2017: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Renault Megane R.S. out for a new testing session during cold weather testing in Sweden. The car is expected to be unveiled in March at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show with deliveries to begin at the end of 2017.

Press release

Renault Sport is proud to be taking the wraps off New Renault Mégane R.S. at the 2017 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Since the launch of the original Mégane R.S. back in 2004, the model has carved out a strong reputation in the high-performance C-segment and become widely regarded as a benchmark in its class.

New Renault Mégane R.S. takes Renault Sport’s unmistakeable hallmarks of agility, efficiency and driving enjoyment a step further thanks to a more finely-tuned chassis performance permitted by 4CONTROL technology complete with four-wheel steering, a first in the segment. An all-new 280hp/390Nm engine has benefited from synergies within the Alliance, and, for the first time, New Renault Mégane R.S. is available with a choice of two transmission options.

Order books for New Renault Mégane R.S. will open in the UK in spring 2018.

“I was involved in New Renault Mégane R.S.’s development and I am proud to be its ambassador. Thanks to the new technologies it packs, including 4CONTROL technology, New Mégane R.S. is even more efficient and nimble than its predecessor. It’s a delight to drive.”

“Performance is the chief reason our customers cite for purchasing the Mégane R.S. and the All-New Mégane R.S. takes the styling and technologies even further to deliver truly exceptional driving enjoyment. Our intention is to see the All-New Mégane R.S., with its chassis and 4CONTROL, remain the C-segment hot hatch benchmark.”

New Renault Mégane R.S. stands out through its specific proportions. In addition to the bespoke lines of its flanks, including wider wings which have been extended by 60mm and 45mm at the front and rear respectively compared with Mégane GT. Meanwhile, its overall width has been increased and new 18 and 19-inch wheels have been designed to provide a better stance and further enhance cornering performance.
Forceful styling features incorporating cues from the world of motorsport
The new front bumper incorporates:

A Formula 1-style blade which, in addition to being a Renault Sport styling hallmark and symbolic of Renault’s commitment to Formula 1, is picked out in a distinctive Gun Metal Grey satin finish that contrasts sharply with the bodywork’s high-gloss sheen.
A wide air intake to provide air for the intercoolers and engine cooling.
A specific front grille complete with a diamond grid pattern revisited by Renault Sport.

The design of the sides features:

A silhouette inspired by New Renault Mégane, with sculpted, sensuous lines accentuated by the R.S. version’s wider tracks and wings.
Extractor vents located behind the front wheels.
A specific sill design incorporating a black blade that runs along the bottom edge to visually connect the front and rear of the car and suggest a ‘flat floor’ effect, a common feature in motorsport.

Rear:

The new lip spoiler with body-colour vertical mountings designed to generate greater downforce underlines the width of New Renault Mégane.
The new rear bumper incorporates:
Mégane R.S. hallmark, centrally-positioned exhaust pipe with a prismatic finish.
A working diffuser inspired by the world of Formula 1 to negate lift at higher speeds.

A specific new body colour
A new body colour has joined the Mégane R.S. family – Volcanic Orange. Like Renault Sport’s iconic Liquid Yellow, the new finish benefits from special work to combine a unique sheen with a special effect as light reflects off the body. It also injects added dynamism and is perfectly coordinated with the car’s cabin where the following features contribute to New Renault Mégane R.S.’s distinctive interior ambience:

Renault Sport’s visual branding common to both its road cars and the world of racing
Renault Sport took advantage of the presentation of Renault’s latest Formula 1 car – the R.S.17 – in London, in February, to reveal its new logo which is shared by Renault Sport Racing and Renault Sport Cars. Now, for the very first time, this badging – emblematic of Renault’s sporting heritage – appears on the tailgate of one of the brand’s road-going models – New Renault Mégane R.S.

Unrivalled driving pleasure courtesy of Renault Sport’s expertise
4CONTROL chassis: an exclusive in New Renault Mégane’s class
Renault Sport’s acclaimed engineering expertise has taken the performance of New Renault Mégane R.S. to a new level thanks to two new features that are unique in the car’s segment.

Courtesy of Renault’s 4CONTROL system with four-wheel steering (a standard feature of both the model’s Cup and Sport chassis versions), New Renault MéganeS. is even more nimble through tight turns and more stable when cornering at higher speeds. The steering is more incisive while the turning circle is even tighter when manoeuvring. Carefully configured by Renault Sport, 4CONTROL generates a whole new level of driving enjoyment in the segment.
Front and rear hydraulic compression stops, a technology derived from the world of motorsport, provide additional damping and eliminate the effects of rebound by performing the following functions:
They ensure a high level of chassis efficiency on the Cup chassis version irrespective of the type of road.
Combined with the Sport chassis, they deliver unprecedented comfort in the segment.

New Renault Mégane R.S. carries over the key features that helped to forge the success of previous-generation versions.

The PerfoHub independent steering axis front suspension has been completely redesigned to cater for New Renault MéganeS.’s new geometry and is stiffer than before.
The new Torsen®limited slip differential that comes with the Cup chassis features different lock-up values under acceleration and deceleration for enhanced traction and higher cornering speeds.
The suspension settings of both versions are specific (springs, dampers, bump stops and anti-roll bar stiffness).

An all-new engine that benefits from synergies within the Alliance
New Renault Mégane R.S. is equipped with an all-new turbocharged engine equipped with direct fuel injection.

This 1.8-litre (1,798cc) four-cylinder unit generates 280hp (205kW) at 6,000rpm and 390Nm of torque, positioning it firmly amongst the class’s front-runners in terms of peak torque.
Maximum torque is available from 2,400rpm up to 5,000rpm.

To enable this engine to produce this level of power and torque under the bonnet of New Renault Mégane R.S., Renault Sport focused its development work primarily on the cylinder head, air intake and exhaust.

The cylinder head has been completely redesigned with combined input from the experts at Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing Formula 1 engineers.
The revised, higher-capacity dual-intake air filter features improved permeability.
The Twin Scroll turbo significantly enhances flexibility and response at low revs.

The ratios and gearshift calibration were developed by Renault Sport to combine performance with efficient fuel consumption, while the EDC transmission’s gear shift times have been optimised for greater performance and driving enjoyment.

The EDC transmission stands out through a number of specific features:

Paddle-shifters – of a type similar to those used in motor racing – allow the driver to change gear without having to take their hands off the steering wheel when cornering.
Multi-Change Down technology ensures fast sequential down-changing and allows drivers to downshift several gears in quick succession under braking. This ensures the vehicle is in the most appropriate gear to tackle the following corner.
Launch Control for optimised getaways, directly inspired by motorsport technology. This is available in either Race mode or Sport mode, where it works in conjunction with the specially-adapted traction control to produce a textbook start even in low-grip situations.

A 300 horsepower / 400Nm Trophy version
Before the end of 2018, Renault Sport will introduce a Trophy version of New Renault Mégane R.S., the engine of which will produce 300hp and 400Nm of torque. It will incorporate a number of technologies geared to performance, including the Cup chassis and 19-inch wheels as standard equipment.

The performance of a car is also gauged by its braking ability. Renault Sport has introduced two new features to upgrade New Renault Mégane R.S.’s stopping power:

Upgraded R.S. Monitor
Thanks to its on-board telemetry system, R.S. Monitor, Renault Sport extends the R.S. experience beyond the act of simply driving. The latest version features new graphics and is even more user-friendly, with a choice of two configurations:

R.S. Monitor displays the driver’s performance in real time on the R-LINK 2 screen.
R.S. Monitor Expert provides drivers with the opportunity to connect a camera (either an independent camera or their smartphone camera) to film their drive. They can then play back and analyse their run thanks to the incorporation of performance data in the image. They can even share the film on social media.
There is a bespoke website for Renault Sport customers.
R.S. Replay allows owners to engage with other members of the Renault Sport community by uploading their recordings, playing them back and comparing runs.

Performance in all situations

R.S. Vision, Renault Sport’s lighting system
Already a feature of New Clio R.S., Renault’s multi-reflector R.S. Vision LED lighting system was a natural choice for New Renault Mégane R.S. Taking the form of a chequered flag – another nod to the world of motor racing – it is incorporated in the front bumper and frames the F1-style blade. This patented technology, which is exclusive to Renault Sport, delivers high-performance lighting and includes the fog lights, cornering lights and dipped and main beam head lights. R.S. Vision stands out as an unprecedented lighting package in New Renault Mégane R.S.’s segment to ensure a level of visibility worthy of the car’s high-performance pedigree.

Meanwhile, for the first time on Mégane R.S., Renault’s trademark C-Shaped lighting signature incorporates the vehicle’s direction indicators.

A personalised experience courtesy of MULTI-SENSE
Renault’s MULTI-SENSE system and its choice of five driving modes personalise the driving experience by adapting engine response (via the pedal mapping), the firmness of the steering and gear shift speeds[4].

Comfort mode: helps to minimise fuel consumption during everyday use.
Normal mode: the ideal compromise between comfort, acoustics and performance.
Sport mode: sportier performance, enhanced engine response, a more satisfying engine sound and firmer steering, while the ESC threshold has been raised.
Race Mode: designed for track use and unfettered performance thanks to sportier 4CONTROL settings for enhanced agility, with the ESC turned off.
Perso mode: New Renault MéganeS.’s technologies can be activated or switched off at will to enjoy a truly personalised drive.

The R.S. Drive button provides shortcut access to the Sport and Race modes thanks to a short or long press respectively.

Driver aids designed for everyday use
Now a five-door hatchback, New Renault Mégane R.S. is even more suited to everyday use, while losing nothing of its dynamic, sporty character.

A suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) allows it to be driven in all types of situation.

Its palette of driving aids – all accessed and activated or deactivated via the R-LINK 2 tablet – provide the following functions: